here's my response
Some things that Unity can be promoted by are agreeing to disagree, remembering we are on the same team, and putting aside differences to see the big picture. To list them seems pretty easy but to put them in action is totally another challenge within itself. To let go of selfish pride in 'knowing that i'm right' is a hard thing when I can be very stubborn about things. Knowing that God is bigger than all of these issues allows myself to let go of my stubborn ways.
FInding your spiritual gifts, I feel is finding what you are passionate about. God gave you passions to be able to use them for Him. My passion is helping others and throughout my life i've really developed my skills and abilities (that I thought I didnt have) to help others around me and in my community. I used to question my abilities but God has helped me through the tough stops to be a better person to influence others. It's always a continuing learning process. I love that I can always learn from others to shape myself to be more of who God wants me to be and let go of my wants. [/color]
Archive » Is your church involved in One Prayer?
by Tifferz » Tue Jun 24, 2008 pm30 5:45 pm
Fasting is going better than last week 
God surely provides
Here's today's daily devotional
Daily Devotional by Stovall Weems
One Prayer Daily Devotional
By Stovall Weems, Lead Pastor, Celebration Church
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
God gives us spiritual gifts not for ourselves, but for others. It’s good to have an ambition to see the kingdom of God thrive and expand. However, Godly ambition expresses itself through servanthood, not through selfish promotion. Many people believe that the church is given to them as a platform to find expression for their gifts, when really God has given them their gifts to build and enrich the church. Christ gives us spiritual gifts so that we can labor alongside Him as He builds His church, bringing her to full maturity.
Not that we will ever fully agree on every fine point of doctrine. I Corinthians 13:12 (http://www.youversion.com/niv/1Cor.13.12) says, “Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am known.†As long as we see only part of the picture, we will tend to fill in the gaps with our own idea of what the whole picture should look like—and that will inevitably lead to disagreement. But I do believe that as the church continues to grow in her knowledge of Christ, we will learn to move together in that rhythm of grace and servanthood which characterizes spiritual maturity.
How can you promote unity, even when you don’t see things the same way? How can you build an attitude of servanthood in your life and in the lives of those you influence? Share some of your ideas below!
I'll post my response later
God surely provides
Here's today's daily devotional
Daily Devotional by Stovall Weems
One Prayer Daily Devotional
By Stovall Weems, Lead Pastor, Celebration Church
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
God gives us spiritual gifts not for ourselves, but for others. It’s good to have an ambition to see the kingdom of God thrive and expand. However, Godly ambition expresses itself through servanthood, not through selfish promotion. Many people believe that the church is given to them as a platform to find expression for their gifts, when really God has given them their gifts to build and enrich the church. Christ gives us spiritual gifts so that we can labor alongside Him as He builds His church, bringing her to full maturity.
Not that we will ever fully agree on every fine point of doctrine. I Corinthians 13:12 (http://www.youversion.com/niv/1Cor.13.12) says, “Now we see but a poor reflection, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am known.†As long as we see only part of the picture, we will tend to fill in the gaps with our own idea of what the whole picture should look like—and that will inevitably lead to disagreement. But I do believe that as the church continues to grow in her knowledge of Christ, we will learn to move together in that rhythm of grace and servanthood which characterizes spiritual maturity.
How can you promote unity, even when you don’t see things the same way? How can you build an attitude of servanthood in your life and in the lives of those you influence? Share some of your ideas below!
I'll post my response later
- Tifferz
by Hollywood_Hedden » Tue Jun 24, 2008 am30 10:26 am
Great post Tifferz. I'm right there with you.
Let us know how your fasting goes.
I've done it several times before, but not recently.
Thanks for the post. It was a blessing to me.
Hollywood Hedden
Let us know how your fasting goes.
I've done it several times before, but not recently.
Thanks for the post. It was a blessing to me.
Hollywood Hedden
- Hollywood_Hedden
by Tifferz » Mon Jun 23, 2008 pm30 10:19 pm
Tomorrow I'm going to try fasting again. I am going to fast meat.
I think our focus for prayers is for world leaders I'll be focusing on the prayers on here, prayers for Christians to unite as one and all the requests on the One Prayer website as well.
Here's today's devotional and my response
One Prayer Daily Devotional
By Benny Perez, Pastor, The Church at South Las Vegas
Make us ONE body not multiple members
Romans 15:5-7
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
The apostle Paul commissions the church to be of one mind, one voice, and one heart! He compels the Christians in Rome, who are predominately comprised of Jew and Gentile converts, to stop contending, competing, and clashing with one another. Much like today’s church body, the early church wrestled with jealousy, pride, strife, and yes, factions. The result was a disabled body that was crippled of Christ’s power. Believers focused too much on trivialities with each other rather than the incredible glory of God, and as a result some lost focus spiritually. Paul graciously restores their sight by focusing on Christ, and encourages believers to be truly unified as one body, to be in “one mind†with others of the faith and not in strife over things that have no eternal value. The apostle compels us to be in “one accord,†so that we can speak glory with “one voice†to God the Father.
Our spiritual walk should be Christ-centered and not self-centered. We must learn to die so that He can live through us. This can only come through a consistent relationship with God. The absence of intimacy will find us presenting personal agendas before the throne that are self centered. Much like the Jews and Gentiles in Paul’s day, we lose sight of what the focus should be—Christ, not us! To be like Jesus is to truly desire nothing for ourselves outside of Him.
My Response:
Because of our selfish natures it's so hard to be Christ centered. It is a constant challenge I have to face but I am up for the challenge. Becoming more consistent with my relationship with God has certainly helped my life be more Christ centered than self centered. God has shed light on issues that I worry about that really does not matter.
The question that I pondered reading this is: What has eternal value??
I believe that everything we do is spiritual which is so hard to wrap my brain around. Some things its easy to see and others it is not. That's when I have to stop thinking about it and just believe in God
Through this series I noticed my downfalls of bickering with other Christians on issues. It was never anything that damaged my relationship with other people but it certainly made situations uncomfortable. We almost could not agree to disagree and would drop the subject. To look back on these situations, I realize how stupid it was. We are on the team! That's what I keep reminding myself when a potential discussion about who is right and wrong comes up.[/color]
I think our focus for prayers is for world leaders
I'll be focusing on the prayers on here, prayers for Christians to unite as one and all the requests on the One Prayer website as well.
Here's today's devotional and my response
One Prayer Daily Devotional
By Benny Perez, Pastor, The Church at South Las Vegas
Make us ONE body not multiple members
Romans 15:5-7
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
The apostle Paul commissions the church to be of one mind, one voice, and one heart! He compels the Christians in Rome, who are predominately comprised of Jew and Gentile converts, to stop contending, competing, and clashing with one another. Much like today’s church body, the early church wrestled with jealousy, pride, strife, and yes, factions. The result was a disabled body that was crippled of Christ’s power. Believers focused too much on trivialities with each other rather than the incredible glory of God, and as a result some lost focus spiritually. Paul graciously restores their sight by focusing on Christ, and encourages believers to be truly unified as one body, to be in “one mind†with others of the faith and not in strife over things that have no eternal value. The apostle compels us to be in “one accord,†so that we can speak glory with “one voice†to God the Father.
Our spiritual walk should be Christ-centered and not self-centered. We must learn to die so that He can live through us. This can only come through a consistent relationship with God. The absence of intimacy will find us presenting personal agendas before the throne that are self centered. Much like the Jews and Gentiles in Paul’s day, we lose sight of what the focus should be—Christ, not us! To be like Jesus is to truly desire nothing for ourselves outside of Him.
My Response:
Because of our selfish natures it's so hard to be Christ centered. It is a constant challenge I have to face but I am up for the challenge. Becoming more consistent with my relationship with God has certainly helped my life be more Christ centered than self centered. God has shed light on issues that I worry about that really does not matter.
The question that I pondered reading this is: What has eternal value??
I believe that everything we do is spiritual which is so hard to wrap my brain around. Some things its easy to see and others it is not. That's when I have to stop thinking about it and just believe in God
Through this series I noticed my downfalls of bickering with other Christians on issues. It was never anything that damaged my relationship with other people but it certainly made situations uncomfortable. We almost could not agree to disagree and would drop the subject. To look back on these situations, I realize how stupid it was. We are on the team! That's what I keep reminding myself when a potential discussion about who is right and wrong comes up.[/color]
- Tifferz
by Tifferz » Mon Jun 23, 2008 am30 11:00 am
Pattie I AM SOOO Excited about Tubing!! haha. We figured our first get other is something fun where we can get together and have some fun! The energy and feedback I've gotten already from others in our church is amazing!
The energy and feedback I've gotten already from others in our church is amazing!- Tifferz
by Pattie » Mon Jun 23, 2008 am30 6:10 am
I feel your excitement and passion Tiff & like Gail said, it is authentic & God is blessing you for it!! I always hold you in prayer but I will certainly send up special prayers for this new ministry of youth you have started!! Keep us posted on how it is going..Tubeing!! How fun is that going to be?!!
I always hold you in prayer but I will certainly send up special prayers for this new ministry of youth you have started!! Keep us posted on how it is going..Tubeing!! How fun is that going to be?!! - Pattie
by JustGail » Sun Jun 22, 2008 pm30 10:37 pm
Prayers are going up, Tiff---because you are so authentic, God is using your passion to help people in such a wonderful way-----just amazing. God Bless all the efforts and fellowship of the young adults groups....excited for you too!
Luv ya
Gail
Luv ya
Gail
- JustGail
by Tifferz » Sun Jun 22, 2008 pm30 10:17 pm
Today's sermon topic was Make Me Authentic.
What's the Difference between being Authentic and Inauthentic.
Pastor Chris from the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham AL spoke today.
Being authentic is: Your relationship with God is...
Internal instead of external.
In Matthew 23:27-28
"You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
You look good on the outside but your inside is unclean. It's about what happens and changed inside of you. God changes our hearts and minds.
Spiritual instead of intellectual.
We sometimes over think things and try to figure things out logically when we should let God in.
In the following scripture, the people were looking in scripture for Jesus but did not come to Him. They were looking for the wrong reasons in scripture
John 5:39-40
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
Relational instead of formal.
Matthew 15:7-9
"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: "These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."
Christianity to me is a relationship with God. You can do all the movements through church and formal practices or what not but if you dont have that relationship then you are really not a Christian to me.
A lot of people live life going through the motions but miss out on the connection with Jesus.
Approach God wholeheartedly.
God wants all of us. Not just 99% of us.
Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
You will not find God until you seek him with your all.
Exchange religion for relationship.
Kinda what I said earlier. My pastor once said "Religion will kill you but Jesus will set you free" talking about your relationship with Jesus.
In scripture, they talk about love for God is to obey his commands. You want to follow Him because He is God and will lead your way.
Put your faith On Him not just in Him.
Rely on God for the impossible. Believe in Him but also count on Him to answer your prayers and help you take that leap of faith you thought not possible. He will bless you!
What is God saying to you? What are His plans for your life?
To answer these questions myself... I feel God wants me to help people. That's a little vague but I know no matter what I do it will be helping people. I really feel for the people of this world that needs our help. I feel like I can help them. Whether it be my time or monetary donations. I just increased my tithe to my church and I know it will help in some way or fashion and I know I can sacrifice things for myself so others can have.
Also, I mentioned about a week or so ago about meeting with my pastor to get a Young Adult ministry going and we had our first meeting today with those that are interested in it. I am so excited and stoked about it! I was a little bit nervous but I loved it! God showed His love through me through my passions.
We start our leadership team meetings on the 2nd sunday of each month and it'll be to organize events, small groups, etc. for our young adult group. We are going on a tubing trip on the 19th for those young adults wanting to plug in and just have some fellowship time together. We have tons of ideas to help our community and be a support group for each other. God really has blessed me for taking that nervous leap of faith! It's really exciting to see this grow all from an email I sent a few weeks ago. I'm sooo very excited about it! If you will, pray for our young adult group and the members that we have now and the future members to join with us. I really feel like this can be a huge thing that will develop over the next year and I'm really excited about it.
The energy surrounding this is amazing. My pastor is very excited about it and other people in our church is really excited about it as well. God is doing some amazing things down here!
What's the Difference between being Authentic and Inauthentic.
Pastor Chris from the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham AL spoke today.
Being authentic is: Your relationship with God is...
Internal instead of external.
In Matthew 23:27-28
"You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
You look good on the outside but your inside is unclean. It's about what happens and changed inside of you. God changes our hearts and minds.
Spiritual instead of intellectual.
We sometimes over think things and try to figure things out logically when we should let God in.
In the following scripture, the people were looking in scripture for Jesus but did not come to Him. They were looking for the wrong reasons in scripture
John 5:39-40
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
Relational instead of formal.
Matthew 15:7-9
"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: "These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."
Christianity to me is a relationship with God. You can do all the movements through church and formal practices or what not but if you dont have that relationship then you are really not a Christian to me.
A lot of people live life going through the motions but miss out on the connection with Jesus.
Approach God wholeheartedly.
God wants all of us. Not just 99% of us.
Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
You will not find God until you seek him with your all.
Exchange religion for relationship.
Kinda what I said earlier. My pastor once said "Religion will kill you but Jesus will set you free" talking about your relationship with Jesus.
In scripture, they talk about love for God is to obey his commands. You want to follow Him because He is God and will lead your way.
Put your faith On Him not just in Him.
Rely on God for the impossible. Believe in Him but also count on Him to answer your prayers and help you take that leap of faith you thought not possible. He will bless you!
What is God saying to you? What are His plans for your life?
To answer these questions myself... I feel God wants me to help people. That's a little vague but I know no matter what I do it will be helping people. I really feel for the people of this world that needs our help. I feel like I can help them. Whether it be my time or monetary donations. I just increased my tithe to my church and I know it will help in some way or fashion and I know I can sacrifice things for myself so others can have.
Also, I mentioned about a week or so ago about meeting with my pastor to get a Young Adult ministry going and we had our first meeting today with those that are interested in it. I am so excited and stoked about it! I was a little bit nervous but I loved it! God showed His love through me through my passions.
We start our leadership team meetings on the 2nd sunday of each month and it'll be to organize events, small groups, etc. for our young adult group. We are going on a tubing trip on the 19th for those young adults wanting to plug in and just have some fellowship time together. We have tons of ideas to help our community and be a support group for each other. God really has blessed me for taking that nervous leap of faith! It's really exciting to see this grow all from an email I sent a few weeks ago. I'm sooo very excited about it! If you will, pray for our young adult group and the members that we have now and the future members to join with us. I really feel like this can be a huge thing that will develop over the next year and I'm really excited about it.
The energy surrounding this is amazing. My pastor is very excited about it and other people in our church is really excited about it as well. God is doing some amazing things down here!
- Tifferz